A man from New Hampshire has been arrested and charged for trying to sell methamphetamine inside the Encore Boston Harbor casino resort in Everett, Ma.
The Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that Matthew Gorman, 32, has been indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury. The New Hampshire man was indicted on five counts related to possession of a large capacity firearm, two counts of possession of a loaded firearm, and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance.
Healey’s office says an investigation conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit led to Gorman’s arrest, which occurred back in September. Law enforcement says Gorman was trying to sell meth on the casino floor.
When he was arrested, police found two semi-automatic pistols and three large capacity magazines in his possession.
Massachusetts’ three casinos — Encore Boston, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park — were permitted to reopen in July following state-ordered shutdowns that began in March. They’ve been required to operate at 25 percent of their fire code capacity since December.
Massachusetts Casinos Have Strong Police Presence
When Massachusetts legalized three commercial casino resorts, plus a slots-only facility, in 2011, the law mandated that each gaming property be closely monitored by the Attorney General’s Gaming Enforcement Division (GED).
The GED ensures proper investigation and prosecution of illegal gaming related activity in Massachusetts,” the attorney general’s office explains. “GED enforces all aspects of the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 through extensive community relations with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Massachusetts State Police, and local police departments and federal law enforcement agencies.”
Last March, Encore Boston requested assistance from GED to help apprehend an unruly person in the casino’s poker room. The man, Brandon Wangnoon, 25, of Brockton, became physically aggressive and led to two state officers sustaining injuries. One police officer suffered a concussion, and another back injuries. Both troopers have since recovered.
Wynn Resorts, parent company to Encore Boston, says the casino is largely free of violence. The casino operator says more than 10,000 people typically visit the casino daily, and there are dozens of security an GED personnel on site around the clock.
Severe Penalties Possible
Gorman is facing many years behind bars, and large fines.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts says any person who knowingly or intentionally distributes a Class B controlled substance faces up to 10 years in prison, and a fine up to $10,000. The penalty for someone found guilty of being in possession of a large capacity firearm is subjected to a minimum prison term of five years.
Gorman will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court at a later date.
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